Well Met at Lorette

On February 11 I was running errands in Winnipeg. Afterward, I went over to CN's Symington Yard to see what was going on. The yard slugs were working the humpyard, and a CN freight was rolling out onto the Sprague subdivision. I shot a few photos and a bit of video from the Fermor overpass, then headed out to try to get the CN freight.

I pursued it for a bit and was able to overtake it shortly before the Lorette siding at mile 138.2. There was a train in the siding, waiting for the eastbound freight to pass. The waiting freight was CN 343, with engines 2572, 2539, 5677 and 2225.

First, the oncoming freight: CN 438 with engines 2244, 5775, and ex-UP unit 2111.

CN 343's crew was on the ground, waiting to give 438 an inspection. Here one of 343's crew gives a wave.

It's still a bit unusual to see those ex-UP Dash-8s... but I'm getting used to it.

The crew diligently watched the train, looking for stuck brakes, dragging equipment, and the like.

There were a group of potash cars near the end of the train.

With their job done, the crew of 343 went back to their train and headed into Symington.

"CN 343, diverging to clear signal at Lorette".